8.5 or 11.5 miles.
Explorer Map OL26 - North York Moors (West)
The first part of the walk (8.5 miles) sets out from Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe
and heads across farmland to Balk, Bagby, and Thirkleby before returning
to Sutton using farm tracls and footpaths. An extension of the walk to
Gormire Lake adds on another 3 miles.
The walk involves footpaths and tracks across farmland, with some road
walking. Navigation is of little difficulty, with waymarks at many points.
Unfortunately, on the day we did the walk, a freezing fog obscured any
view at all. However, on a fine day this would be a most rewarding hike.
For a Memory Map overlay of the walk described, please select the above
link.
(Overlay made with Version 4 of Memory Map)
Park at the rear of the Whitestone Cliffe Inn (SE48558
82600).
Head West out of Sutton along the road, crossing the bridge over the Sutton
Beck. At SE48048 82545 there is a footpath heading South, initially to
the sewage works, but then running beside the beck all the way to Balk.
At Balk, turn right and follow the road towards Bagby.
Just before you enter Bagby, there is a waymarked track / footpath on
your left at SE46833 80610 which heads South to Thirkleby.
From the Church at Thirkleby, take the footpath East to Little Thirkleby,
then follow the lane South to Village Farm.
Here, take the farm track East to High House Farm, and continue by following
the marked footpath / track East of High House Farm.
Where the farm track makes a dog-leg just before High Osgoodby Grange,
take the footpath in a Westerly direction at SE49053 79965. Follow this
footpath to Low Osgoodby Grange, past Alma House, to the minor road that
heads West towards Balk and Bagby.
Follow the road (CARE, traffic) to where it passes under some pylons just
outside Balk. Here, there is a waymarked footpath that takes you bak to
Sutton-under-Whitestonecliffe.
From Sutton, take the signposted footpath at SE48743 82545 that heads
North along a minor road, then East after a short distance along a farm
track. Continue East to reach Gormire Lake, and return the way you came.